Analytical Thinking for Advanced Learners, Grades 3–5

Description

Analytical Thinking for Advanced Learners, Grades 3–5 will teach students to think scientifically, systematically, and logically about questions and problems. Thinking analytically is a skill which helps students break down complex ideas into smaller parts in order to develop hypotheses and eventually reach a solution. Working through the lessons and handouts in this book, students will learn strategies and specific academic vocabulary in the sub-skills of noticing details, asking questions, classifying and organizing information, making hypotheses, conducting experiments, interpreting data, and drawing conclusions. The curriculum provides cohesive, scaffolded lessons to teach each targeted area of competency, followed by authentic application activities for students to then apply their newly developed skill set. This book can be used as a stand-alone gifted curriculum or as part of an integrated curriculum. Each lesson ties in both reading and metacognitive skills, making it easy for teachers to incorporate into a variety of contexts. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface Introduction to Analytical Thinking Materials Introduction: Frame of the Discipline Primary Source: Artwork Analysis Thinking Skills Avatar Bibliography Chapter 1 Sub-Skill 1: Noticing Details Noticing Details Lesson 1: Observing Details Noticing Details Lesson 2: Determining Important Details Noticing Details Authentic Application Activity: Attribute Blocks Chains Noticing Details Concluding Activities Bibliography Chapter 2 Sub-Skill 2: Asking Questions Asking Questions Lesson 1: Asking Questions to Determine Relationships Asking Questions Lesson 2: Writing Questions about the World Asking Questions Authentic Application Activity: Writing Nature Similes Asking Questions Concluding Activities Bibliography Chapter 3 Sub-Skill 3: Classifying and Organizing Classifying and Organizing Lesson 1: Sorting into Sets Classifying and Organizing Lesson 2: Belonging to Sub-Sets Classifying and Organizing Authentic Application Activity: Venn Diagrams and Dichotomous Keys Classifying and Organizing Concluding Activities Bibliography Chapter 4 Sub-Skill 4: Make a Hypothesis Make a Hypothesis Lesson 1: Using Observations to Make a Hypothesis Make a Hypothesis Lesson 2: Curiosity Breeds More Questions Make a Hypothesis Authentic Application Activity: Introduction to the Scientific Method Make a Hypothesis Concluding Activities Bibliography Chapter 5 Sub-Skill 5: Investigate and Reflect Investigate and Reflect Lesson 1: How Does Failure Lead to Success? Investigate and Reflect Lesson 2: Analyzing Data to Determine a Conclusion Investigate and Reflect Authentic Application Activity: Analytical Thinking Code Breaker Investigate and Reflect Concluding Activities Bibliography Appendix A: Assessments Appendix B: Extensions